10 DAYS AUTHENTIC COOKING TOURS IN NORTH & CENTRAL VIETNAM TOUR

This tour is rich in culture, history, and beautiful coastlines. From Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, to one of the ‘Wonders of the World’ Halong Bay, then the former Imperial capital city Hue, and finishing the trip off in the lantern-filled streets, in the beach town of Hoi An. This tour will provide you with a great array of the contrasting beauty that Vietnam holds. But let’s not forget one of the biggest influences on cultures, FOOD! You’ll get a little deeper inside the rich Vietnamese culture when you learn to cook with the locals. Bring your skills back home to share with your friends and family.

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI

Arriving at Noi Bai airport, your guide will greet you at airport with a ‘Welcome’ sign board, and then you will be transferred to your hotel in Hanoi - the capital city of Vietnam, is an elegant city located on the banks of the Red River with the tranquil ‘Restored Sword’ Lake at its heart.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2: EXPLORE CULTURE & TASTE OF HANOI

Start your morning with a visit toHo Chi Minh Mausoleum, the resting place of President Ho Chi Minh who led Vietnam to independence from French colonial rule. From there, wander through the beautiful surrounding gardens toward the One Pillar Pagodaand Presidential Palace, where a replica of Ho Chi Minh’s simple working space is on display then visit Temple of Literature, the oldest university in Hanoi. Lunch at local restaurant to experience Vietnam cuisine.

In the afternoon, we Set off again to Chau Long Market for a closer look at Hanoian culture in the flurry of a local market. After exploring the street stalls here, we start walking to taste Hanoi street food : Nguyen Truong ToStreet - famous for its desserts toward Hang Than Street, the epicentre of Hanoi’s thriving wedding cake stores. Shake off your sugar rush on a stroll to nearby Hang Cot Street for a look at Hanoi’s mat weaving borough before stopping off for a local coffee shop then taste “O Mai” (Apricot) at Hang Duong Street – well known as “ the cream of Vietnamese gift” and shopping at the fashion shops on the way.. End your walking tour with a traditional Vietnamese egg coffee. Walk back to hotel and overnight.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meal: Breakfast,Lunch

Day 3: HALONG BAY - WORLD HERITAGE SITE - OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE

With over 1600 islets, countless towering limestone karsts and hidden jungle caves, Vietnam’s “Bay of Descending Dragons” is a must-see destination for every traveller to Southeast Asia. Stay for 1 night in the bay aboard a Halong Bay cruise to experience all that this magical landscape has to offer.

At 8am, we will fetch you from your hotel, to head to Halong Bay. We will arrive slightly before noon, at the Halong Bay Pier, where you will be transferred to the cruise ship. Once on board the ship, you will be provided a welcome drink, followed by cruise briefing and safety instructions, conducted by the host of the boat. After that, you will check in your cabin.

Lunch will be served on board while cruising and passing by Dog islet, Fighting Cock islet (symbol of Halong Bay), Hoa Cuong fishing village, and Swan islet. After lunch, the ship will continue exploring the wonders of Halong bay, passing by countless islands including Soi Sim beach, Coconut Tree Island.

We will anchor the vessel at Frog Pond area, where you can take time to explore this beautiful scenery by kayaking through the majestic scenery and swimming in emerald coloured water.

Relax on the sundeck with some cocktails, complimented by a variety of tropical fruits and best local wines. Then attend a cooking demonstration with our chef to learn one of the most popular cuisines in Vietnam: spring rolls.

For dinner, we specially prepare a meal to reward your taste buds and stomach. After that, you can engage in various evening activities, such as relaxing at leisure, doing squid fishing…

Meal: Lunch,Dinner

Day 4: HALONG – HANOI

Wake up to a refreshing morning with an organized Tai Chi class scheduled at 6.30am. Once, we have revived our bodies with smooth, deliberate, flowing movements, you may enjoy a light breakfast with our assorted homemade pastries, along with coffee, tea or fresh fruit juices.

We will move next on to Sung Sot Cave, where you will have the option to climb up and down 600 steps, to the magnificent limestone formations of the most beautiful and biggest cave in Halong bay. After the visit to the cave, you will check out of the cabin, and settle your bill, if you have incurred any additional expenses, like drinks or snacks in the bar.A beautiful lunch will be served as the ship cruises back to the Halong Bay harbour.

Our coach will pick you up and return back to Hanoi. ETA to be about 5pm, if the traffic is cooperative.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meal: Breakfast,Lunch

Day 5: HANOI – FLY TO HUE

After breakfast, you are free to explore until our driver picks you up to transfer you to the airport for a flight to Hue. Arrival in Hue, we will pick you up and transfer to hotel for check in.

Overnight in Hue.

Meal: Breakfast

Day 6: HUE - NGUYEN DYNASTY’S ANCIENT CITY AND THE PERFUME RIVER AT SUNSET

Hue was the capital city of the Nguyen lords that took over Vietnam, in 1802. The Nguyen dynasty lasted 13 kings and 143 years, and was the last imperial dynasty of Vietnam. The french had a big part in establishing the Nguyen dynasty, and also its downfall, when the communist-led VietCong movement took power in the “August Revolution” of 1945. You’ll walk the ancient grounds of the 3 Emperors Mausoleums, Minh Mang’s, Khai Dinh’s, and Tu Duc’s.

Before lunch, stop and see how the iconic rice paddy hats and incense stick are made.

Listed by UNESCO as world heritage the Imperial city is the walled fortress and palace built in 1805, surrounded by a moat. It took thousands of workers 27 years to build the city, and walls 6.6 meters in height, 21 meters thick and 10 kilometers in circumference. It’s divided into two main parts excluding houses and mansions: The Citadel, and The Forbidden City.

Finally return on a gentle boat ride as you watch the sunset over the Perfume river, named such because in fall the flowers from orchards upriver fall into the water, giving the river a perfume-like aroma.

Back to hotel and overnight.

Meal: Breakfast,Lunch

Day 7: HUE – TRANSFER TO HOI AN

You are free at leisure to explore Hue until the afternoon when we willtransfer to Hoi An by public bus. Arrive in Hoi An and check into your hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An

Meal: Breakfast

Day 8: HOI AN COOKING CLASS AT THUAN TINH ISLAND

At Thuan Tinh Island Cooking Class, we offer you something completely unique. Meeting in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Old Town of Hôi An, we embark on our Culinary Adventure. First, a trip to the market to purchase all fresh ingredients. Then, we board our river boat for a relaxing 40 minute ride to Thuan Tinh Island, which is recognized by Hoi An as an official ecological zone. To visit the Local Village, we take a row boat ride through the water coconut trees.

We then walk through the gardens to our open-air cooking class overlooking the water coconut trees and river. Our chefs will show you how to make Vietnamese food while you enjoy the cool breeze and peaceful setting.

Now it's time to COOK!

Our chefs have prepared a 4-course cooking class of traditional Vietnamese dishes. They will demonstrate how to prepare them, and then it's your turn-you prepare your own tasty Vietnamese lunch.

Day 9: HOI AN SHOPPING AND BEACH DAY

You are free to explore Hoi An ancient town, get some tailored clothes and accessories handmade, or take a bicycle to explore the countryside and head down to the beautiful white sand of An Bang beach. Don’t forget to eat as much as possible too, Hoi An is arguably the best place for food in the nation.

Overnight in Hoi an

Meal: Breakfast

Day 10: HOI AN DEPARTURE

Your driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your onward flight home.